Stupid question of the year -- I apologize in advance.

[JDPriestly]

OK. So I am living In LA -- Southern California.

I have read that our 3 1/2, maybe more inches of rain in the past couple of days brought with it small amounts of radioactive something or other which I think was maybe thorium.

I grow a few vegetables in my backyard -- mostly in large and small pots.

What are the odds that I can safely eat my vegetables -- parsley, etc.?

Is there utterly no danger?

What is the reality about this?

I wrote a paper on nuclear processes and energy in high school -- in the 1950s. I really haven't thought about it much since then. So please don't laugh too hard at my ignorance.

Many people of my generation are probably just as clueless about this as I am. I finished high school less than 15 years after Hiroshima. That I knew much at all about nuclear fission was kind of unusual. So, can someone please let me know?

[Ian David]

1. Any danger is either non-existent or miniscule.

However, if you had brought your plants inside (or covered them) during the rain, then it would have been a moot point.

[vaberella]

5. Agreed. n/t

[bbinacan]

2. You're OK. n/t

[bobbolink]

3. I'm willing to bet you are going to get all kinds of different answers.

Maybe the local extension office might be a good place to start? They might be getting some independent readings.

And, you don't need to apologize so much.. it is a good question, and you are right.. many people will be wanting to know.

Good luck with the radiation, and wish me luck with the smoke! :hi:

hmmmmmmmm, maybe its the radiation that caused the fires? :rofl:

[JDPriestly]

6. Good luck with the fire. That is probably in the short run a much

bigger problem. I did not know that you are in Southern Indiana or Northern Kentucky.

I used to travel through Louisville quite often. As I understand it that is where the fire is. Are you inside, Bobbolink? Do you have shelter?

[bobbolink]

9. Colorado.

I've never actually been in either of those places you mention. ^_^

Inside right now. Thanks for the concern. The smoke is bad for my respiratory problems.

I'm OK, tho. Right now its just more of a nuisance. Gonna be a rough summer, tho.. so dry.

I'm guessing you're not growing spinach? ^_^

I used to have a garden in California that I loved (along with a great compost pile!) and I sure hope your gardening is OK!!

[brewens]

4. Just wait until it gets dark and look out there. If the plants aren't

glowing, they should be just fine.

[JDPriestly]

7. How reassuring. Thanks. I was watching last night (the wind, not the rain

although rain is so rare that it is almost a theatrical event in LA), but didn't see any strange lights emanating from my backyard.

The wind moved a table and everything on it, and wrenched a clothesline from its anchor, but I did not observe any glowing lights.

[Kennah]

8. I don't believe it's a stupid question

Thom Hartmann has talked about living in Germany--Frankfurt I believe--during the 1980s. I believe he said he moved there just after the Chernobyl disaster.

Frankfurt is about 1,100 miles west of Pripyat, but radioactive rain well on Germany.

Tokyo is about 5,500 miles west of Los Angeles.

The trade winds across Europe, I believe, blow from west to east, so the rain over Germany from Chernobyl either circumnavigated the globe or fought the prevailing winds for 1,100 miles.

I have to say I'm concerned here in Washington state, and I'm seriously considering getting a geiger counter before I eat anything from our garden.

[truedelphi]

13. I have heard tht the geiger counters are all sold out.

If you do find a geiger counter, and more are available, please feel free to PM me.

[RebelOne]

15. Not a stupid question. I would be wondering about it also. n/t

[JDPriestly]

10. Thanks everybody. DUers seem to unanimously agree that

eating vegetables grown in this rain is OK provided that I wash them well. Getting agreement on DU about anything is so rare that I feel safe in eating them. Thanks everybody.

[panader0]

11. I heard on the tube today

that even with the spinach in Japan you'd have to eat it every day for a year to get a level that could harm you.

[truedelphi]

14. Advice from Talking Heads on TV and a quarter will get

You two dimes and a nickel.

[Kablooie]

12. Might be dangerous to eat but they'll grow REAL BIG!

[jberryhill]

16. Another perspective

Your vegetables will be no more dangerous than vegetables grown elsewhere.

[jimlup]

17. It is a worthwhile question...

My answer is that at the current level the radiation levels detected from the Fukashima plant are of minimal concern for our produce. But you should pay attention to radiation monitoring in the media. Be aware of the trace isotopes that they are detecting and follow discussions online about the safety of produce. Present levels do not raise a concern here in the United States BUT IT ISN"T CLEAR WHERE THIS THING IS GOING TO END!

I am extremely worried about these reactors and I don't think that we have seen the worst of it yet. If levels grow signifcantly above background in your area, then don't eat your vegetables. Don't wait for the media to issue a warning. They will do it much too late.

[Rincewind]

18. go head and eat them.

Worse case scenario: nothing happens. Best case scenario: we gain mutant superpowers. Just wash them as you should normally, the amount of radioactive particles is barely detectable, well under safe limits.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

19. Eat them before they eat you!

[Maru Kitteh]

20. Enjoy your home-grown vegetables in good health and with peace of mind.

As always, the food you grow for yourself we be much more nutritious, delicious, and safer than the junk they sell at stores.

The levels of radiation that will be detected in the United States are far below that of ordinary things you think nothing of being exposed to like granite, and groundwater which we assume you probably ingest on occasion.

Enjoy your veggies and happy gardening. :-)

[rucky]

21. I'd contact an organic growers association

maybe this one...

CCOF Main Office Location:
2155 Delaware Avenue, Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

Get detailed directions from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Gilroy/Salinas to the CCOF Home Office.

CCOF also employs regional service representatives to provide local service and support to CCOF businesses. Visit www.ccof.org/rsr.php to find your regional rep.